Background: Due to the prevalence of coronavirus infection in Iran and the greater susceptibility of pregnant women to the disease, this study aimed to investigate the predictors of pregnant women's self-care behavior in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) epidemic using the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM).
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 309 pregnant women in Isfahan City, Iran. The samples were selected using two-stage cluster sampling method from 14 health centers in Isfahan City. In order to collect data, participants completed a researcher-made questionnaire based on EPPM constructs online. The collected data were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient and hierarchical linear regression tests via SPSS software.
Findings: The mean age of the participants was 29.00 ± 6.25 years. Overall, the four variables of “perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, self-efficacy, and response efficiency” constituted about 44% of the total variance of protective behaviors in pregnant women (adjusted R2 = 0.42%, P = 0.030). Among them, the constructs of self-efficacy (β = 0.41) and response efficiency (β = 0.15) had the greatest power in predicting self-care behavior (P < 0.050).
Conclusion: Self-efficacy and response efficiency constructs have been the main determinants of self-care behaviors of pregnant women during COVID-19 disease. Therefore, in order to promote self-care behaviors in pregnant women, more emphasis can be placed on strategies of improving the mentioned constructs.